Perennial Pea: A Hardy Climber with Old-World Charm
Looking for a tough, colorful climber that laughs in the face of neglect? Meet the perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolius), also known as everlasting-pea. This robust flowering vine brings a splash of cottage garden romance to landscapes across North America, though it originally hails from European gardens.
What Makes Perennial Pea Special?
Perennial pea is a hardy herbaceous perennial that produces clusters of showy pink to purple pea-like flowers from summer into fall. What really sets this plant apart are its distinctive winged stems that give it an almost architectural quality even when not in bloom. As a forb herb, it lacks woody tissue but makes up for it with vigorous growth and staying power.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Originally from Europe and western Asia, perennial pea has made itself quite at home across North America. You can find it growing in an impressive range of locations, from Alabama to Wyoming, and north into Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. This widespread distribution speaks to its remarkable adaptability.
Garden Appeal and Design Uses
Perennial pea brings several appealing qualities to the garden:
- Showy flowers that attract bees and butterflies
- Interesting winged stems that add textural interest
- Vigorous climbing or trailing growth habit
- Long blooming period from summer through fall
- Drought tolerance once established
This versatile plant works well as a groundcover on slopes, a climbing vine on trellises or fences, or as part of cottage garden plantings. Its ability to spread and naturalize makes it particularly useful for informal landscapes where you want a carefree, abundant look.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of perennial pea’s biggest selling points is how easy it is to please. Here’s what it needs to thrive:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained soil of average fertility
- Water: Moderate water during establishment, drought tolerant once mature
- Hardiness: Zones 4-9
- Space: Can spread 3-6 feet wide and climb 6-9 feet tall
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Perennial pea is refreshingly low-maintenance, but a few tips will help you get the best results:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Provide support for climbing if desired, or let it trail as groundcover
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding
- Cut back in late fall or early spring
- Be aware that it can self-sow and spread enthusiastically
A Word About Its Non-Native Status
While perennial pea has naturalized widely and isn’t considered invasive in most areas, it’s worth noting that this is a non-native species. If you’re focused on supporting local ecosystems, you might consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for pollinator appeal
- Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) for climbing habit
- Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) for the pea family flower form
The Bottom Line
Perennial pea is a reliable, colorful addition to gardens where you want maximum impact with minimal effort. Its cheerful flowers, interesting form, and bulletproof nature make it a solid choice for cottage gardens, naturalized areas, and anywhere you need a tough, attractive climber. Just keep an eye on its spreading tendencies, and consider native alternatives if supporting local wildlife is your primary goal.
Whether you’re covering an unsightly fence, stabilizing a slope, or just want something pretty that practically grows itself, perennial pea delivers old-world charm with new-world toughness.
